Councilwoman Withdraws Bill on Armory Lease

Measure would have given lease to Confederate Veterans Croup

The bill to award a lease for the old National Guard Armory to the Sons of Confederate Veterans has been withdrawn after several City Council members questioned the ability of the group to raise money for renovations Dec. 10.

City officials estimated repairs to the 98-year-old structure would cost about $9 million.

A lease of the structure had hit a fevered pitch in the past few weeks after a coalition of arts groups also expressed interest in the dilapidated building for an arts center.

The armory was built during World War I and used for military purposes until 1973. Several city offices used the building, but it has been vacant since 2000.

The bill’s sponsor, Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels, withdrew the bill at a meeting on Dec. 10, but she can refile it at any time. If the measure had failed in a vote by the City Council, it could not have been considered again for another year.